st mellons together newsletter march 2012

St Mellons Together

Issue 9March 2012

Hafod, Wales & West and Linc-Cymru Housing Associations and residents working together to make St. Mellons the place you are proud to live in.

The Community Life sub-group organised a fun day at Meadowlane Primary School during February half term, with 23 children and their parents/carers attending.

The children had lots of fun doing circus skills, face-painting, and arts and crafts with staff from Wales & West and Hafod Housing, Cardiff Play Services (the Pod) and Play Aloud.

If you would like to attend or help us with future events and maybe join the Community Life sub-group, contact either Herman (pictured above right) on 0800 052 2526 or Pearl on 07765 406252.

The Compact gets Juggling!

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St Mellons Together - March 2012

We all need help with unexpected bills, especially this time of year.

Why not call Moneyline Cymru to find out more about our low cost affordable loans?

We could save you pounds compared to door step lenders. Money-line Cymru is approved by your housing association so you know you’ll get a good deal.

• Moneyline Cymru won “Responsible lender of the year 2011”. • Moneyline Cymru has been set up with the express purpose

of providing more affordable loans to those on low incomes or benefits.

• We have been able to reduce the cost of loans for the people who need it most.

“A doorstep lender usually charges around £246 in interest on a £300 loan over 52 weeks. With Moneyline Cymru, it’s just £127* making you a saving of over £119! The message is clear - shop aroundfirst.

Picking up the phone and calling Moneyline Cymru could save you hundreds of pounds.

Yourlocaloffice:-

Moneyline Cymru 184 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9NETel 029 2034 4460

Money tight?

DOOR STEP LENDERS – WHAT A RIP OFF!

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What is the St Mellons Compact?

The St Mellons Compact is all about the three social landlords - Hafod, Linc-Cymru and Wales & West Housing Associations - working with you, our tenants and residents, to make St Mellons a better place for you to live.

We achieve this through our six sub- groups, which each look at one of the main service areas.

What do our Compact sub-groups do?

Community LifeWorks to support events and activities to bring the community together.

Environment / Estate ManagementWorks to improve the local environment in St Mellons as well as the appearance of our estates.

Anti Social BehaviourWorks to give you more information on how you can report anti social behaviour to us, how we can help and how we can work together to reduce ASB in St Mellons.

Resident ParticipationAsks your views so that the other sub-groups know what you want them to do.

Financial InclusionWorks to tell you about ways to make the most of your money.

Home ServicesWorks to give you information on how we repair and manage your home. We will inform you about our landlord services and the level of service you can expect from us.

All our sub-group meetings are open to anyone living in St Mellons so if youwouldliketo:

• findoutmore• come to a meeting• help with an event/activity• give your ideas

please call for a chat or email us.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Wales & West Housing Association 0800 052 [email protected]

Hafod Housing Association029 2067 [email protected]

Linc-Cymru Housing Association0800 072 [email protected]

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Community LifeThere were three litter picks carried out in St Mellons led by Keep Wales Tidy and supported by the Compact. Fly tipping in Wern Gethin lane is an on-going problem and we will continue to tackle this issue in conjunction with Cardiff Council.

We are working with Communities First and Cardiff Play Services to carry out a makeover of the Play Pod at Heol Maes Eirwg.

We commissioned Star RFC once again deliver sessions of Multi Sports activities over the half-term and 40 young people attended.

Anti Social Behaviour The Police have reported that there has been an increase in burglaries from properties and sheds in St Mellons. Don’t become a victim! Please report any suspicious activity to the Police on telephone no 101. If you would like advice on how to keep your possessions safe speak to your local police team, PC Alex Reed on 07584 883350 or PCSO Rob Parry on 07805 301322 or going online at ourbobby.com

Sub-Group Round Up

Environment and Estate ManagementWe have been consulting residents and local contractors to see whether it is feasible to run a garden service in St Mellons, such as grass cutting and trimming hedges, that is both affordable and practical.

We are also looking at the possibility of developing a community garden project to grow vegetables for local people and we need volunteers to form a local gardening group to take this forward.

If you are interested in taking part, please contact Chris Walton at Wales & West Housing for further information on 0800 052 2526

Resident ParticipationWe’ve been working to find out what residents want to do to make St Mellons a better place to live.

We have been talking to the St Mellons 100 group to find out how they want to get involved.

We have been asking you questions about St Mellons to help all our sub-groups to focus on what you want us to improve.

If you would like to find out more about any of the sub-groups or to become a member of St Mellons 100 please contact Claire Hammond at WWHA on 0800 052 2526.

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Financial InclusionLast year we worked hard with Moneyline Cymru and Cardiff and Vale Credit Union to show you the benefits of saving and borrowing for them compared with the price you pay for borrowing from doorstep money lenders. More and more people are turning away from high interest lenders. In St Mellons more than 52 Moneyline Cymru loans have been agreed and lots more people have joined the credit union.

So what’s next?

Working in partnership with Moneyline Cymru and Cardiff and Vale Credit Union this year we’re going to promote the Co-op electrical scheme as a sound way of getting fair priced goods. We’re also going to make sure new residents know about the scheme to avoid getting hit by high interest loans to buy what they need when moving into their new home.

Home ServicesWe’ve been looking at ways we can find out what tenants and residents think about the repair services we offer so that we can explore alternative ways to provide your repairs.

We will also keep you informed and consult you on any planned works due to take place in St Mellons.

We’d love to hear from you, so if you have any ideas on how we can improve our repairs service, please contact Carol Price at Linc-Cymru on 0800 072 0966.

Services at The Hub

Did you know that the following services are also available at The Hub (see page 10 for further details):

CAB 4 Cardiff

Ifyouneedadviceinperson:Tuesday & Friday 10 am – 1pm

Ifyouneedadviceoverthephone:Adviceline Cymru 08444 77 20 20Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm

SPEAKEASY - give free legal advice andrepresentation.We:

• Deliver free, high quality legal advice on debt and welfare benefits

• Actonbehalfofclients,dealingwith creditors, negotiating payment of loans

• Helpclientsmanagetheirfinancesbetter

• Challengeunfairdecisionsmadeby the DWP and local authorities

• Providebenefitcheckstoensure clients are claiming all appropriatebenefits

• Representclientsincourtandattribunals

• Defendpossessionproceedings

We are at The Hub every Wednesday - For an appointment, please call 029 2045 3111

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Get in there for Star RFC!

Over February half term, forty local children attended the Star RFC multi sports programme.

Children aged 7 to 11 years took part in a range of sports activities such as baseball, football, tag rugby and catch, and all the children were presented with certificates.

This event was sponsored by Safer Capital/Cardiff East Neighbourhood Management Group and the St Mellons Compact. This programme offers children the opportunity to meet new friends and try new sports underthesupervisionofqualifiedcoaches. The February Half term programme was also supported by the Play Aloud workers based in St Mellons.

How will your street celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

On Tuesday 6th June the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee (60 years of being Queen). To help you and your neighbours celebrate this occasion we’re holding 2 workshops in the Easter holidays. You can learn how to run your own Jubilee party, or Big Jubilee Lunch, make bunting and you’ll even be given a party pack for your very own street party, subject to availability.

The Jubilee workshops will be held at the following venues and dates (weatherpermitting):

• Thursday 12th April 1pm @ the Trainpark, Coleford Drive • Thursday 19th April 10am @

St Mellons Play Pod, Heol Maes Eirwg

The workshops are open to all tenants and residents of St Mellons of all ages. If you have grandchildren visiting, why not bring them along too.

If you’d like further information on the Jubilee workshops please contact Pearl at Hafod Housing.

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Get on your bike this summerAre you a Young Person aged 11-14 years of age? Do you already ride a bike? Or are you interested in taking up cycling to get about or for fun and fitness?

St Mellons Bike Club allows you to findoutmoreaboutsafecyclingroutes, bike maintenance, riding techniques and much more. You’ll also be able to get involved in a number of events including our planned Olympic Cycling Fun Day which will take place this summer.

Our Bike Club will run fortnightly on Tuesdays between 4.00 – 6.00 p.m. at St Mellons Community Education Centre. Sounds interesting? Then why not pop along or call the Community Education Centre on 02920 778667. Don’t worry if you don’t have a bike - we may be able to help.

PS. If you have an unwanted bike and want it re-cycled, why not drop it off at the centre? Please call in advance.

Dr Bike is a hit in St Mellons

The Dr Bike project was held over the summer 2011 and February half term this year.

Over the 26 sessions, more than 100 bikes were repaired and ensured that young people were safe on the roads.

This year young people were given the opportunity to visit Bryn Bach Park for a bike ride with Anita and Tim, youth workers in St Mellons Community Education Centre and two ride leaders from Cycle Training Wales (Dr Bike).

The weather was beautiful but very cold and the lake had frozen over.Bryn Bach Park supplied mountain bikes for the ride over the disused quarry track in the morning, then in the afternoon BMX bikes were supplied for use on the International

BMX track in the park.

Thefiveyoungpeopletakingpartgained their level 1 Mountain Bike skills with Cycle Training Wales during the day. All the young people enjoyed the experience and have asked for more cycling trips. One commented “I really enjoyed the day and it was nice to be out with my friends”

Dr Bike is run in partnership with the St Mellons Compact, the Youth Service, Communities First and Cycle Training Wales.

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Linc-Cymru working to improve communal areas and gullies in St Mellons

Linc-Cymru is currently considering how some of the communal patches of land in St Mellons can be improved.

Pictured are Linc-Cymru staff and Board members looking at an area in Coleford Drive which, along with othersnearby,hasbeenidentifiedas needing improvement and the best way to do this is currently being considered.

Linc-Cymru is also hoping to improve access to gullies so that they can be better maintained. New padlocks are on order, which our contractors will have keys for and tenants will also be given a key for these padlocks if

their garden backs on to the gully concerned.

Should you have any questions or queries regarding this, please contact:

Justine Harlow,HousingOfficerfor St Mellons at Linc-Cymru, 387 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1GG or email [email protected] or freephone 0800 072 0966 (or 0300 123 1134 if you are calling from a mobile as this number is charged at the standard rate).

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4 Access to the best prices

FIVE reasons to save with your local credit union

How many times have you met with an unexpected bill? Or the car needs new tyres? Or the children want to go on a school trip? We often don’t have the extra money hanging around so making a commitment to put a small amount away each week or each month will make things easier when you have a money emergency.

Just look how much saving a small amount every week, can addup:

• Save just £2 per week = £104 saved over the year



Cardiff & Vale Credit Union now offers a prepaid VISA debit card and savings can be loaded onto the card, for you to spend online or in shops. This avoids the need for cash and allows members to budget more effectively.

Looking for a new washing

machine, TV, Laptop or Games console?

The Credit Union has a scheme running with Co-op Electrical to help our members access the most competitive prices on white goods and electricals.

Members who save with the Credit Union can apply for our low cost loans! Our maximum rate on loans is just 26.8% APR.

1 A safety net – for the payments you had not planned for

2 Your savings can add up

3 You can have savings withdrawals paid onto a Prepaid Debit card

5 Access to affordable credit

For more information, see our website:www.cardiffcu.com,call us on 029 2087 2373 or email us on [email protected].

Cardiff & Vale Credit Union, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW. FSA FRN 213467

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St Mellons weekly

drop-in surgeries

Rainbow House, Newent Road, St Mellons, Cardiff

Linc-Cymru residents Wales & West residentsEvery Tuesday Every Wednesday10-12 noon for 11am – 1pmHousingOfficerJustineHarlow HousingOfficers10-11amforMaintenanceOfficer AlysonRobinsonandCarole Williams Alison Hayes (all queries) Wecanprovideadviceandassistanceon:

• Anti social behaviour• Tenancy support• Mutual exchanges• Difficultymanagingtopayrentandotherbills• Rent enquires• Saving money for a rainy day• Repair enquiries• Low interest loans• Transfer advice • St Mellons Compact• Other housing issues

If you’re unable to attend these surgeries and

require an early morning or evening appointment, please contact your Housing Officer to arrange a mutually convenient

appointment.

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If you would like to tell us your answersto any of these questions, or want to tellus something else that you think isimportant, please get in touch by one ofthe methods listed above. We’d love to hear from you!

Claire Hammond, Wales & West’s Resident Participation Strategy Officer talking to a St

Mellons’ resident at the half term funday

Name the group to win a £25 voucherHave you heard of St Mellons 100?

It needs a new name. St Mellons 100 is our list of people who have said that they are happy to give us their views or get involved in activities in St Mellons.

Some people have said the name ‘St Mellons 100’ doesn’t really say what the group does, so here’s your chance to give the group a name that fits and win yourself a £25 Tesco voucher.

Simply fill in the blank to be in with a chance to win!

St Mellons Compact ...............................

You can tell us your idea by:

• phone 0800 052 2526• text 07766 832692• email [email protected]• post Claire Hammond, Wales & West

Housing Association, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2UD

Please remember to include your name,address and contact telephone numberand reply by no later than 23rd April2012. Good Luck!

Our Resident Participation sub-grouphave also been asking St Mellons 100members, and people who attendedour funday, some questions about StMellons, such as:

• Would it help if you could save for things that crop up like new tyres / birthdays / school trips?

• Would you pay for a grass cutting service?

• What do you think about our repairs services?

• Would you like to work together to grow organic fruit and veg?

• Do you feel safe in your home / out and about in St Mellons?

Why not tell us what you think...

WIN!£25 voucher

st mellons together newsletter march 2012

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